Bloomsburg Sees Unbeaten Season Come to an End

BLOOMSBURG-- Joe Wright's one-yard run with 2:26 to play in the game lifted the 19th-ranked West Chester Golden Rams (8-2, 7-0 PSAC East) to a 24-21 win over previously unbeaten Bloomsburg University (9-1, 6-1 PSAC East), 24-21, on Saturday in front over 6,700 fans. The loss snapped the Huskies school-record tying 14-game winning streak dating back to last year, while the win gives the Golden Rams the PSAC Eastern Division crown and a date next week with California (PA) for the PSAC championship.

The game-winning drive started the on the Golden Rams 20-yard after the Huskies had a missed a field goal after a recovering a fumble at the West Chester seven-yard line. The Rams moved down the field in 13-plays, aided by a personal foul call against the Huskies on a second and 17 play with the ball at the West Chester 23-yard line. The penalty moved the ball out to the WCU 38-yard line. Later in the drive Wright completed a 29-yard pass to Ryan Paulson putting the ball at the Bloomsburg three-yard line. After three running plays moved the ball to within inches of the goal, Wright snuck in on a fourth-down play putting West Chester in front 24-21.

Bloomsburg got a 42-yard kickoff return by Jesse Cooper, but on a fourth and two play from midfield, the Huskies managed just one yard and turned the ball over on downs. West Chester was able to retain possession for the remaining minute and 26 seconds to get the win.

West Chester opened the scoring in the first period taking the opening kickoff and driving 71-yards in nine plays capped off by Pat McDermott's four-yard run. The Golden Rams added to their lead early in the second quarter when Alex Walsh hit a 20-yard field goal to make it 10-0.

Bloomsburg finally got on the board before halftime when Kyle Ream caught a four-yard pass from Dan Latorre to cap an 18-play, 94-yard drive that ate up over 10 minutes of clock.

The Huskies took their first lead of the game on the opening drive of the third period. Stefan Adams scored from two yard outs to put Bloomsburg in front, 14-10. West Chester regained the lead later in the period when Mike Washington caught a three-yard pass from Wright. On the drive Wright connected with Washington on a 30-yard gain down to the Huskies' seven-yard line.

On the ensuing drive for Bloomsburg, Latorre connected with Ream on a five-yard pass play to make it 21-17. The big play in the drive was a 33-yard run by Latorre down to the West Chester five-yard line.

On the kickoff, the Huskies Thomas McFarland forced a fumble by return man Dan DePalma that was recovered by the Huskies at the seven-yard line. On a first down play the Huskies gained four yards to three, but were called for holding. A five-yard gain and two incomplete pass attempts forced a field goal attempt by the Huskies Jon Koenig. The 28-yard attempt though missed setting up West Chester's game winning drive.

Latorre finished 10 of 19 for 74 yards and two scores, while Ream caught four passes for 20 yards and two scores. Wright finished 14-26 for 228 yards and one score passing and one score rushing.

Bloomsburg plays at Gannon next Saturday at 1 p.m.